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Indo Count Industries has expanded its presence in bedding market by increasing its annual pillow production capacity by 8 million.
The company executed this capacity expansion by acquiring the Phoenix-based manufacturer, Modern Home Textiles Inc, through its US subsidiary, Indo Count Global Inc (ICG).
The acquisition follows ICG's recent purchase of a majority stake in Fluvitex USA Inc, an Ohio-based manufacturer of pillows and quilts. Together, both these acquisitions help boost Indo Count’s total production capacity in the US to 13 million pillows and 1.5 million quilts per year, with projected revenue exceeding $85 million once full capacity is achieved.
Anil Kumar Jain, Executive Chairman, Indo Count, emphasises, this expansion will help accelerate the company’s growth in the utility bedding sector besides extending its reach in the North American market. It will also enable Indo Count to streamline distribution across the Midwest and West Coast regions.
These acquisitions confirm with Indo Count’s strategy to expand its pillow manufacturing capabilities in North America significantly besides also boosting employment opportunities in the United States.
Marking an 80 per cent increase from last year’s 15.5 lakh bales, India's cotton exports are estimated to rise to 28 lakh bales during the 2023-24 crop year with majority of the demand coming from countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam.
As per estimates by USDA, India’s domestic cotton consumption is forecasted to rise to 317 lakh bales for the year, with 291 lakh bales already consumed by the end of August. Cotton imports too are estimated to have risen to 16.4 lakh bales compared to 12.5 lakh bales last year. On the other hand, cotton production, mill use, and exports in the US for the 2024/25 season is expected to decrease due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Globally, cotton production is projected to rise, with increases in China, Brazil, and Argentina balancing reductions in the U.S. and Spain.
Driven by the USDA’s revised cotton production forecast for India’s 2024-25, cotton Candy prices increased by 0.09 per cent, closing at Rs 57,000, USDA had earlier lowered India’s cotton production forecast for the 2024-25 season to 30.72 million bales due to crop damage from excessive rains and pest infestations. This also led to a reduction in projected ending stocks, now expected to decline to 12.38 million bales. While the acreage under cotton cultivation has decreased by about 9 per cent, the reduction is expected to be offset by higher yields, thanks to timely rains. However, price gains remain limited by moderate demand and sluggish export activity, especially from key markets like Bangladesh.
Statistics from the Department of Commerce’s Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) shows, overall imports of textiles and apparel across the globe declined by 2.6 per cent in Aug’24 from July’24.
However, totaling 9.72 billion sq m equivalents, T&A imports increased by 12.9 percent Y-o-Y during the month. Textile imports declined by 2.8 per cent from the previous month but increased by 17.5 per cent Y-o-Y to 7.21 billion SME.
On the other hand, apparel imports declined by 2.0 per cent from July but increased by 1.4 per cent Y-o-Y to 2.51 billion SME in Aug’24.
Imports of textiles and apparel increased by 6.7 per cent Y-o-Y to 66.4 billion SME in Aug’24. Of these, textile imports increased by 8.6 per cent Y-o-Y to 49.7 billion SMEwhile apparel imports rose by 1.4 per cent to 16.7 billion SME
For the year ending in Aug’24 2024, total T&A imports increased by 5.3 percent Y-o-Y to 96.7 billion SME. Of these, textile imports rose by 8.0 percent to 72.2 billion SME while apparel imports declined by 1.8 percent to 24.6 billion SME
The three major importers of textiles and apparels during Aug’24 included Malaysia whose imports rose by 52.3 per cent Y-o-Y to 985.8 million SME, Israel whose textile and apparel imports rose 30.7 per cent Y-o-Y to 147.6 million SME and India whose imports expanded by 27.2 per cent to 1.18 billion SME.
From Jan-Sep ’24, Cambodia’s export earnings from the textile sector grew by 25 per cent to nearly $9 billion compared to the same period in 2023.
From $7.034 billion during Q1-Q3 2023, Cambodia’s textile exportsrose by 24.51 per cent during the first nine months of the year. They represented 44.16 per cent of the country’s total export revenue for Q1-Q3 2024, which reached $19.833 billion, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE).
Among these exports, exports of Code 61 products rose by 12.5 per cent to $5.034 billion, while Code 62 exports increased by 31.9 per cent to a value of $2.353 billion.Exports of Code 63 products expanded by 37.7 per cent to $155.69 million those of Code 64 increased by 22.4 per cent to $1.214 billion
According to Ly Kunthai, President, Cambodia Confederation of Investors Association (CCIA) and the Cambodia Footwear Association (CFA), the country’s textile exports began to show positive signs in H2, FY23 after a decline due to the impact of COVID-1.
He attributes this growth to Cambodia's stable political environment, favorable investment laws, skilled labor force, improved transportation infrastructure and a growing number of international buyers.
This growth is also being driven by the government's efforts to encourage foreign investors to invest directly in the country and place orders for Cambodian-made products, he notes.
Lim Heng, Vice-President, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), opines,increasing global demand, combined with political instability in other major textile-exporting countries isresulting in increased exports from Cambodia. According to him, a favorable political climate is encouraging foreign financiers to invest in Cambodia’s textile industry.
Ahead of EU regulations expected in 2026, some of Spain’s largest fashion companies plan to launch a voluntary initiative to collect discarded clothes.
To be launched from Apr’25 onwards, the pilot project, titled Re-viste, will involve major brands such as Zara-owner Inditex, H&M, Decathlon, Ikea, Primark, etc. It will help address the growing issue of textile waste by separating textiles and shoes from general waste for reuse or recycling.
The project will be launched only after the final approval of new EU regulations, expected to be implemented by 2026. Once these regulations are approved, Spanish fashion companies will have to manage the cost of textile waste disposal on their own, says Marta Gomez, Director - Quality and Environmental Evaluation, Ministry of Energy Transition
The upcoming EU regulations will also make companies selling clothes and shoes pay higher fees for waste management. In Spain, only 12 per cent of the used clothing is collected separately, with 88 per cent ending up in landfills. On average, each resident in Spain discards 20 kilos of clothes annually, compared to the European average of 7 kilos, according to official figures.
However, these companies do not wish to comply with the legal requirements, adds Andres Fernandez, President, Re-viste and Head –Sustainability, Mango.
During the year-long trial of the project, Re-viste will install collection containers at churches, stores, shopping centers, and on streets across Spain. These containers will allow people to drop off unwanted textiles, which will then be sent to sorting plants for recycling or reuse.
Launched with an aim to revolutionise the apparel industry, Lectra’snew digital platform, Valia Fashiondrives sustainability and modern processes by connecting all production stages.
Unveiled at Lectra's headquarters in Cestas, the platform is designed to accelerate the transition to Industry 4.0, enabling brands and manufacturers to enter into a new technological era. Describing the platform as a pivotal market launch, Daniel Harari, CEO, Lectra, says, it will fundamentally change the sector.
The platform optimises material usage by connecting, automating, and streamlining apparel production, from order processing to fabric cutting. This enables brands, manufacturers, and subcontractors to adapt quickly to different types of production, whether small, medium, large series, or on-demand.
Besides, Valia Fashion also helps enhance collaboration across the value chain. Powered by the cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and an industry-specific data model, the platform digitalises the entire production flow, allowing seamless interaction between brands and subcontractors, irrespective of geographical constraints. By connecting all processes, the platform reduces manual work, optimises resource allocation, and improves efficiency.
The platform also provides a greater visibility into the current and future operations, with precise estimation and traceability of materials used. Valia Fashion automatically analyses and optimises the performance of the cutting room, centralising and securing all data for better decision-making. It also measures the environmental impact of production by estimating material consumption based on real constraints.
Representing a major technological leap, Valia Fashion drives the fashion industry into a new era of Industry 4.0. It offers a completely new way to address the challenges of modern apparel production, says MaximilienAbadie, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Product Officer, Lectra.
A denim and casual woven industry trends presentation hosted by the Lycra Company at the Home House in London on Sep 26, 2024 provided an-depth analysis of the UK denim and chino market.
Held in collaboration with Kantar, the event focused on key statistics and consumer trends. Sam Wright, Consumer Editor, Kantar, explains, over the past decade, shoppers in Great Britain have embraced a more laid-back dressing style, with one-third of their incomes being spent on casualwear. Demand for denims in the country is at a five-year high, driven by a double-digit growth in relaxed fits like baggy and boyfriend styles.However, to attract more shoppers and boost sales, brands need to focus on core essentials that blend comfort and everyday style, he adds.
At the event Ebru Ozaydin, Global Strategic Marketing Director-Denim and Wovens, The Lycra Company, unveiled the Lycra FitSense Denim Technology that gives every pair of jeans a perfect fit, for all body types and shapes.
Ozaydin also highlighted bio-derived Lycra fiber, developed by the company in collaboration with Qore to create a sustainable fiber option made from renewable content.
Salli Deighton, CEO, LaundRe, made a presented on LaundRe, a pioneering circular and reshoring denim hub being launched by the company in London. In his presentation Deighton focused on the ability of LaundRe’s innovative services to empower brands to reshape the future of denim through sustainability and creativity.
Tamil Nadu's textile sector, a once-thriving industry and significant contributor to the state's economy, is facing a crisis. Ironically, this downturn coincides with a global shift in textile manufacturing away from China, presenting a golden opportunity for states like Tamil Nadu to capitalize. However, internal challenges are preventing the state from seizing this advantage.
What ails the industry?
Labor shortages and automation: The industry is grappling with a severe labor shortage. While automation could be a solution, reports say only 14 per cent of Indian textile companies are ‘winning in the age of automation’. This suggests a lack of technological adoption and investment in modernizing production processes.
High power tariffs: Tamil Nadu has one of the highest power tariffs in the country, making it less competitive compared to other textile hubs. This high cost environment discourages investment and growth.
Low fiscal incentives: The state government's fiscal incentives for the textile industry are less attractive than those offered by competing states. This further hinders investment and expansion in Tamil Nadu.
Competition: The state faces stiff competition from other states within India and countries that are offering more attractive incentives and infrastructure, luring away potential investments and market share.
Low productivity: Tamil Nadu's textile industry ranks low in terms of overall productivity, further eroding its competitiveness.
Table: Comparative costs
|
Metric |
India |
China |
Vietnam |
Bangladesh |
|
Labor Cost |
0.93 |
3.52 |
1.86 |
0.62 |
|
Power Tariff (cents/kWh) |
8 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
|
Fiscal Incentives (Low-High) |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
These challenges have combined to create a situation where Tamil Nadu is securing only 25 per cent of potential export orders, while competing states are capturing the remaining 75 per cent. This disparity is further underscored by the low adoption of technology in the region, with only 30 per cent of textile units embracing automation compared to 70 per cent in other states.
Indeed, the decline of textile sector, a significant contributor to Tamil Nadu's economy, has had several adverse consequences on the state. There is labor shortage and closure of textile units are leading to widespread job losses, particularly affecting rural communities. Also, the textile industry's downturn is negatively impacting the state's overall economic growth and development. And the loss of livelihoods and economic hardship are contributing to social unrest and instability in the affected regions.
To move forward, and revitalize its textile industry, Tamil Nadu needs to take decisive action to address these challenges. It should begin by improving labor attractiveness. Which means it needs to implement policies to improve wages, working conditions, and skill development initiatives to attract and retain workers. The state must encourage the adoption of automation through subsidies, incentives, and awareness campaigns. Infrastructure deficiencies need to be addressed. The state has to invest in upgrading infrastructure, including ensuring reliable power supply and improving logistics.
By taking these steps, Tamil Nadu can regain its position as a leading textile hub and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the global shift in manufacturing.
The BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow culminated in a landmark development for the global fashion industry, as representatives from over 50 countries signed a memorandum establishing the BRICS International Fashion Federation. The new federation is set to drive innovation, sustainability, and collaboration across emerging and established fashion markets, reshaping the industry on a global scale.
New powerhouse in global fashion
The BRICS International Fashion Federation aims to create new influence centers within the fashion world. Its mission includes promoting sustainability, fostering innovation, and providing a platform for emerging designers and brands to thrive. By connecting fashion professionals from diverse regions, the federation seeks to offer greater access to global markets, driving growth through cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Key objectives include building a unified platform for emerging markets, supporting local talent, and encouraging cultural exchanges between nations. The federation’s educational initiatives aim to enhance design skills and business acumen among fashion professionals, ensuring a well-rounded approach to industry development.
Jay Ishak, President of the Malaysian Official Designers Association, expressed his support for the federation, emphasizing its potential to strengthen Malaysia’s fashion sector. He highlighted how the country's inclusion could lead to increased trade, enhanced cultural exchange, and expanded market access. Ishak believes the BRICS International Fashion Federation holds the ability to transform the fashion industry by fostering growth, driving innovation, and encouraging cooperation among member nations, positioning it for significant global influence.
A global commitment to sustainability
One of the core missions of the BRICS International Fashion Federation is to promote sustainability within the fashion industry. By advocating for slow fashion and eco-friendly practices, the federation aims to address the environmental impact of fast fashion. The memorandum signed by leaders from various countries reinforces a commitment to reducing the fashion industry’s carbon footprint and promoting ethical production methods.
Deputy Mayor of Moscow, Natalya Sergunina, highlighted the strong backing for the initiative, describing it as a key outcome of the BRICS+ Fashion Summit. She noted the shared goals and significant growth potential the federation represents. Sergunina's comments reflect the optimism surrounding the federation's ability to lead sustainable practices within the fashion industry and drive positive change across the sector.
Looking ahead: A united front in fashion
With its formation, the BRICS International Fashion Federation is poised to become a major player in shaping the future of global fashion. The federation's focus on sustainability, cultural preservation, and innovation aligns with the growing demand for ethical fashion practices worldwide. By bringing together emerging markets, the federation aspires to redefine the fashion industry through collaboration, mutual support, and shared expertise.
As the BRICS International Fashion Federation begins its journey, industry experts and designers alike are optimistic about the opportunities it presents for sustainable growth and cultural exchange. The summit, with attendance from over 100 countries, has cemented its place as a transformative moment in the fashion world, signaling a new era of international cooperation and influence.
From October 14 to 18, 2024, Groz-Beckert will exhibit at the ITMA Asia + CITME at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China. The company will highlight innovations across its six product areas: Knitting, Weaving, Nonwovens, Tufting, Sewing, and Spinning, located at Hall H4, Booth C04.
In the Knitting segment, Groz-Beckert will unveil new systems in Circular, Flat, and Warp Knitting. The LCmax circular knitting needle, paired with the SNK-F sinker, features a unique wave-shaped shank that significantly reduces energy consumptionup to 20 per centwhile maintaining machine speed. Additionally, the San Duo system enhances loop structure and minimizes downtime through its low shank design.
The Flat Knitting section will showcase the San TT needle for narrow loops in technical textiles and the San FY for fancy yarns, both aimed at increasing reliability and reducing breakage. The Legwear division will present its durable dur needles designed for sock production, helping to lower costs in knitting processes.
In the Weaving area, the KnotMaster tying machine will be featured, known for its versatility in knotting. Groz-Beckert's high-quality healds and frames are engineered for efficiency, ensuring top fabric quality.
The Nonwovens segment introduces innovations in felting needles, including a new barb design for abrasive fibers and a module developed with the Dilo Group for intensive needling technology. The Tufting section emphasizes precision in its gauge part system, crucial for producing quality floor coverings.
In Sewing, the San series needles are designed for demanding applications, featuring wear-resistant coatings. The company will also highlight its INH quality management system for seamless needle handling and documentation.
Finally, Groz-Beckert's commitment to sustainability will be showcased through various products aimed at reducing its carbon footprint, highlighting its efforts to implement environmentally friendly practices across the textile industry.
